Football: Former England coach Stuart Pearce linked to Wellington Phoenix job

Stuart Pearce. Photo / Getty

Former England football hardman Stuart Pearce has been linked with the Wellington Phoenix coaching position.

The Adelaide Age reported on Tuesday that the 55-year-old was one of the contenders for the vacant position.

According to the Australian newspaper, Pearce has also been scouted by at least three other A-League clubs, including Adelaide United, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City.

Pearce made his name as a left back for Nottingham Forest and England in the late 1980s and 1990s.

He became a cult hero in England for his physical approach and brutal tackling style, as well as his thunderous left footed free kicks.

Pearce played 78 times for the Three Lions and made over 400 appearances for Forest, scoring a remarkable 61 goals.

His managerial career has encompassed stints at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City as well as a variety of roles with England, including one game as caretaker manager after Fabio Capello's departure in 2012 and more than five years as coach of the Under-21 side. He was also in charge of the Great Britain side at the 2012 Olympics, where they were eliminated by South Korea at the quarter final stage.

However Pearce has had limited club success on the coaching bench. He lasted less than a season in his second stint at Forest in the 2014-2015 Championship season and his spell at Manchester City between 2005 and 2007 ended poorly after a promising start.

Pearce hasn't managed since his stint at Forest came to an end in February 2015.

The Phoenix were unable to be reached for comment when contacted by the Herald on Tuesday night.